Well Known Member of Italian Poker Community Arrested for Alleged ATM Fraud

Italian poker player Luca Pizzingrilli and Romanian Savin Iantocwere arrested earlier this month for placing skimming equipment on ATMs in North Carolina. After they were arrested, authorities have posted photos of skimming devices in order to help people to recognize these if they happen to come across them.

ATM skimming is described as stealing personal information stored on credit card and recording PIN number to access the account. The ATM skimming device is made of electronic card reader which is placed over the ATM’s real card slot. When you slide your card into the ATM (with attached skimming device) you are sliding it through the electronic card reader that stores all your personal information onto a magnetic strip. Skimming device also includes a little spy camera that records all the ATM’s PIN action.

After the staff of the Sun Trust Bank contacted the police about possible skimming activities, the police from Charlotte, North Carolina, set up surveillance cameras at the ATMs throughout the city. After a period of surveillance, they noticed suspects trying to place skimming equipment on an ATM. The police acted immediately but poker player Luca Pizzingrilli and Savin Iantoc had already left by the time the police arrived to the scene.

However, after photographs of potential suspects were e-mailed to police officers, two suspects were soon pulled over. Luca Pizzingrilli was arrested by the police immediately while Savin Iantoc, who managed to run away, was later chased down and arrested. According to investigators, the skimming device and equipment were found in the vehicle after Italian poker player was arrested.

The officers have explained that frauds like this are common in the country and that people should follow safe banking practices to reduce the risk of being a victim of ATM skimming. Police have also advised that everyone should exercise caution when using ATM and that if they notice anything unusual while sliding a card, they should alert the police or bank staff.

It was also explained that when you type your PIN in, you should cover your keyboard with other hand in order to protect the number and your savings.

According to the Italian poker sites, Pizzingrilli is one of the more respected poker players in Italian poker community and he is regular on the live scene, playing mostly cash games. He participated in various tournaments playing Texas Hold’em and he also played online.

However, Iantoc is known to the FBI and was already suspected of skimming activities. According to the police Iantoc, who is in the US illegally, is connected with skimming activities and frauds in Florida.

Luca Pizzingrilli and Savin Iantoc are charged with conspiracy, possession of a device capable of forging financial cards and financial card forgery.

Representative for the Charlotte Police Department said that he is proud of police officers who were involved in the investigation.

Photo: it.pokerstrategy.com